South Jersey Cheerleading:
Comets Were the Stars at American Cheer Invitational

Sunday, February 28, 1999

By Joanne Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Tight fists and stiff wrists, with synchronized stunts, jumps and dance routines were the presentations of the day, as cheerleaders from the tri-state area came together at Rutgers University in Camden on Sunday. The American Cheer Invitational, which was sponsored by Shop Rite and American Cheer Express (ACE), featured cheerleaders from the grade school, middle school, junior varsity, and varsity levels.

The morning competition was dominated by the Keystone Comets who took winning slots in three of the five divisions and second place in the Senior All-Stars spot. Contrasting the large Keystone organization was the Junior High/Recreation winners, the Williamstown Warriors, small in number, but big in presentation, enthusiasm and energy, with a near perfect routine.

The second half of the competition saw Burlington Township High School take four winning trophies for Junior and Co-Ed Varsity, Varsity Stunt and special recognition for Dance Performance. Their routines consistently held up to their reputation for showmanship and athleticism. Audubon placed third in the Varsity High School, but were the most improved overall with a great dance routine that had the crowd on their feet.

Injuries and illnesses caused a few teams to drop out at the last moment and competition director Linda Chapman had to double as emcee, but the day was full with energy and enthusiasm for all.

American Cheer Express' sponsorship is televising this competition on local Cable to help develop awareness and appreciation for the work that goes into this sport by the athletes and their coaches. In New Jersey the broadcast will be April 5, 7, and 10; in Pennsylvania, on April 17 and 18; and in Virginia, April 7. Check your local listings on those dates to see if you local Cable carrier is broadcasting this event.

Winners	Sr. All-Stars
1st Place	Rock-Its, Sewell, NJ
2nd Place	Keystone Comets, Clifton Heights, PA
3rd Place	Jersey Elite, Manasquan, NJ

Rock-Its

Keystone Comets

Jersey Elite

Winners	Youth All-Stars
1st Place	Keystone Comets, Clifton Heights, PA
2nd Place	B-52's, Sewell, NJ
3rd Place	Tornado Twisters, Clifton Heights, PA

Keystone Comets

B-52's

Tornado Twisters

Winners	Jr. Prep
1st Place	Keystone Comets, Clifton Heights, PA
2nd Place	Washington Township Nitros, Sewell, NJ
3rd Place	St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, PA

Keystone Comets

Washington Township Nitros

St. Matthew's

Winners	Jr. All-Stars
1st Place	Keystone Comets, Clifton Heights, PA
2nd Place	Jr. Rockets, Sewell, NJ
3rd Place	Washington Township Sparks, Sewell, NJ

Jr. Rockets

Washington Township Sparks

Winners	Jr. High/Recreation
1st Place	Williamstown Warriors, Williamstown, NJ
2nd Place	Christ the King, Manville, NJ
3rd Place	St. Matthew's, Philadelphia, PA

Williamstown Warriors

St. Matthew's

Winners	Co-ed All-Stars
1st Place	Carteret, Carteret, NJ
2nd Place	Rain Bo, Sewell, NJ
3rd Place	The Sharks, Berlin, NJ

Carteret

Rain Bo

The Sharks

Winners	Jr. Varsity
1st Place	Burlington Township High School, Burlington, NJ
2nd Place	West Deptford High School, Westville, NJ
3rd Place	Sterling High School, Somerdale, NJ

Burlington Township High School

Sterling High School

Winners	Co-ed Varsity
1st Place	Burlington Township High School, Burlington, NJ
2nd Place	West Deptford High School, Westville, NJ

Burlington Township High School

West Deptford High School

Winners	Varsity
1st Place	Sterling High School, Somerdale, NJ
2nd Place	Caesar Rodney High School, Camden, DE
3rd Place	Audubon High School, Audubon, NJ

Sterling High School

Caesar Rodney High School

Audubon High School

Sacred Heart High School

Winners	Large Varsity
1st Place	Father Judge, Philadelphia, PA

Father Judge

Winners	Individuals
1st Place	Stacey McCleery, Sterling High School
2nd Place	Kristen Miller, Sterling High School
3rd Place	Krissy Armano, Sterling High School

Winners	Varsity Stunt
1st Place	Burlington Township High School, Burlington, NJ
2nd Place	Father Judge #1, Philadelphia, PA
3rd Place	Father Judge #2, Philadelphia, PA

Burlington Township High School

Father Judge #1

Father Judge #2

Winners	Special
Stunts	Pyramids, Carteret, NJ
Dance	Burlington Township High School JV, Burlington, NJ
Spirit	Caesar Rodney High School, Camden, DE

Special Appearance
by the
Camden-Rutgers Cheerleaders